To nurse or not nurse?

[078207]

I am at a crossroads in my life. I graduated from university 1.5 years ago with a BSc in Environmental Science with Co-op. It is very hard to get a full time job in my province in the environmental field, as I have worked 2 contract jobs since graduation. My boyfriend and I moved away two years ago to work in Alberta and we both hated it. We realized that we wanted to be close to our families and maybe.. one day rasie a family in my home province.

Since graduation we both moved back to my home town and we both found employment. That being said, most of my work has been contract work, working outside completing various vegetation, bird, and site surveys. I am starting to find this work boring, unsatisfying, and there is a lack of human interaction. In addition, I really don't like to sit in front of a computer all day entering data, writing reports and not feeling rewarded. That is why for the past year and a bit i've been seriously considering nursing as a career.

My consideration for becoming a nurse ranges from the obvous - there are more jobs than the environmental field, better pay, scheduled hours (environmental fieldwork can be weather dependant and you may not get a day off for weeks), working hands on with patients, learning about the human body, and job satifaction by helping people and hopefully making a difference. And the not so obvous reason is that my mother had ovarian cancer while I was growing up, I helped take care of her a lot throughout her illness. When she went on pallitive I dropped out of school to take care of her, I was her main care provider while my father was working. Although this was the toughist time in my life, I really enjoyed taking care of her, talking to the nurses and doctors, and addministering her medication.

I know caring for your parent is different than caring for a patient, but I can't help a feeling that this is something I want to persue. I never had the grades from high school, or confidence to go into nursing off the bat, but since I recieved my BSc, my gpa was a 3.3/4.0 and I now have the marks to get into nursing school. However, the thought of going back into a 4, or perhaps 3 calendar year program bothers me. (I can't get into a 2 year program because I don't have all of the pre-reqs) Plus the thought of paying for 3-4 years tuition scares me a little.

I guess I was looking for some advice, guidance, or if anyone had an experience similar to mine let me know!

lastly, I am wondering if anyone grew up with a sibling or parent that was ill and if caring for a family member transitioned over to caring for a patient?

Thank you !!!

[Reannaruby99]

You should really look into your soul before you make a financial decision you might not like. I am a pre-nursing student and waiting on my application to be accepted as I speak. The fact that nurses are needed, higher pay, scheduled hours and human interaction are a good points to consider, however, do you think you can be the caring, compassionate, benevolent, person that it takes to make it? I knew I wanted to become a nurse after my father-in-law died in my arms. It was the most dignified, peaceful experience I ever had. He came home after being diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. Can you deal with illness? Nursing is a high stress job. I know that making a difference in someones life matters and I have been in enough hospitals for my own illnesses to realize that not everyone is cut out for it. Good luck with your decision.

[dottimur]

I had a career in another field for a really long time until I experienced a tragic loss that changed my life. 6 weeks later I was enrolled in nursing school because I felt a calling to become a hospice nurse. Nursing is a calling for many. I unfortunately didn't start in hospice and for two years I felt so unsure of myself I tried to go back to my old field but didn't get a job and now four years later I am very glad I didn't. I love nursing and especially love helping clients and families who are dealing with the eminent or recent loss of life of a loved one.

[Reannaruby99]

I had a career in another field for a really long time until I experienced a tragic loss that changed my life. 6 weeks later I was enrolled in nursing school because I felt a calling to become a hospice nurse. Nursing is a calling for many. I unfortunately didn't start in hospice and for two years I felt so unsure of myself I tried to go back to my old field but didn't get a job and now four years later I am very glad I didn't. I love nursing and especially love helping clients and families who are dealing with the eminent or recent loss of life of a loved one.

It is nice to hear that it worked out for you. As like you, I had a few tragedies myself and hospice care seemed to be my calling also. Not everyone can do that job, special people can.